This day 200 years ago .......... the first day of peace across Europe

The Waterloo Medaql

By now Europe was getting the news that "the Corsican Ogre’s 100 days were over.

The combined forces of Britain and Prussia had stopped the French and finally the long wars with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France were over.

The cost had been high with something like 46,000 dead or wounded on both sides.

And looking back over 21 years of almost uninterrupted war which had torn a continent apart brought down dynasties and redrawn the map of Europe that battle must have seemed pivotal to the future.

Wellington and Blucher would be lorded in their respective countries and many of those who had fought alongside the two generals would themselves be remembered.

The fate of the ordinary British and Prussian soldiers like their French counterpart may not have been so comfortable.

The years after the peace were not easy ones in Britain and against a backdrop of hard times growing class conflict and a demand for an extension of the franchise some of the veterans of Waterloo must have felt left out.

The Waterloo Medal

All of which brings me to the medal from the collection of David Harrop.

It was issued in 1816 to every Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the British Army, including members of the King's German Legion who took part in the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras and the Waterloo.

Now David has over the last year and a bit leant me some fascinating material from his collection which always makes its way on to the blog, and so I couldn’t resist showcasing this one.

And not to short change David I shall point to his permanent exhibition at the Remembrance Lodge in Southern Cemetery which contains memorabilia from both world wars.

In time I shall return to the medal with something of its story, but for now on June 19th the day after the battle I shall just reflect on the mixed feelings that must have met the news that the war was over.

And especially the young most of whom would never have known a Europe at peace*

A war  which for  some young people would havenot have known a time of peace.

Picture; the Waterloo medal from the collection of David Harrop

*There had been a brief period of peace between 1802-1803.